Tag Archives: support services

On Thursday the 17th January Apex Health + Social Care attended the African Voice event at Methodist Central Building alongside a host of local businesses with the intention of helping out in the local community.

Running the stand on the day was Apex Licensee Kunbi Schwan and Suzanne Naylor, Apex senior Carer, both looking out for dedicated new carers as well as aiding people with their search for appropriate care packages for their loved ones.The company was also presented with a commemorative certificate as an appreciative gesture of their sponsorship of the event and the ongoing work of African Voice in Moston, Manchester.

Apex Health + Social Care are committed to providing dedicated care in the local community. For more information on how we can help you and your loved ones please call 0845 600 3041.

Homecare bridges the gap between healthcare and client/patient wellbeing.

Working in health and social care requires patience, stamina and compassion. Compassion in care is a hot topic at the moment, and with good reason. People who have a health care assistant often need extra support to enable them to continue living independently; care and compassion is a huge part of this.

Homecare jobs involve a lot of this “compassionate care“. But what exactly is it? We all know that being polite, well-equipped and attentive are the key skills of any good carer, but what else can make homecare into something even more supportive to people’s needs?

Compassion in care is knowing that turning up on time makes a world of difference to a client. It is understanding that as a carer you are often the most constant and reliable aspect of your client’s life. Compassion isn’t just about simply fulfilling your role as a carer – as any homecare professional will tell you, caring is 24/7. Remembering birthdays, taking an interest in your clients’ lives and interests and actively beginning stimulating conversations all seem like small changes but they can make such a difference to a person’s level of care.

Being compassionately invested in a patient or client has practical benefits too, as knowing traits and interests can pinpoint healthcare issues or any worsening or underlying problems such as deteriorating health, dementia, depression or anxiety.

Support services set up to encourage staff to become compassionately involved with their clients lives see better results in audits and reviews, but perhaps more importantly patients and clients feel they receive a better standard and quality of care.For a homecare professional, that’s what truly matters.

If you would like to start a career in a career that’s not only rewarding but as flexible as you need it to be, contact Apex Health + Social Care today at recruitment@apexhsc.co.uk or call 0845 600 3041

IMPORTANT: All Apex HSC homecare staff are currently required to have a full UK driver’s license and own their own mode of transport in order to make home stops.

Dementia and ALzheimer’s can decrease cognitive funtion in patients, however increased engagement and sensory involvement can improve their wellbeing.

One of the most important care practices homecare workers can employ when working with clients who have dementia is to involve them in their everyday surroundings.

Support services that involve the engagement and sensory involvement of dementia patients often see the most improvements from the people in their care. One method being more commonly used amongst domiciliary care services is the SPECAL approach, which encourages caring from a client’s perspective.

Independent living is incredibly important to ensure a person’s self-esteem and dignity is well cared-for, but dementia can make important everyday tasks difficult to carry out. By using new techniques to improve the way clients and carers see dementia can really help improve their quality of life and ensure their continuation of more independent domiciliary care rather than full-time care.

THe SPECAL approach covers a number if areas, all very important to ensure high standards of dementia care while reducing levels of anxiety and improving interaction.

Never contradict a client with dementia – it can cause confusion and angry outbursts that oculd easily be avoided.

Don’t ask questions – raising queries can increase confusion and panic. Instead try to be more decisive and suggest what you think would be best to do.

Learn from the expert – the person who has dementia knows what having dementia is like. They are the best people to learn from!

Invest time in observing the individual. Knowing their hobbies or positive triggers will enable you to steer conversations and actions into more positive outcomes.

Identify anxiety triggers – knowing what upsets the individual will enable you to avoid it in the future.

Be reasy with solutions to restore calmness. Being prepared is the best way to deal with anxiety attacks.

The key to making a difference to a person with dementia is to reach them in a way they can understand. To a person with dementia the most engaging thing could be a link to their past interests or loves but don’t live in suspended time. Move forward, engage and encourage involvement.

If you would like to begin a rewarding career in domiciliary health and social care, please contact Apex Health + Social care by calling 0845 600 3041 24 hours a day, or emailing recruitment@apexhsc.co.uk.

Apex health + Social Care look to provide personalised and appropriate care for every patient.

Personalisation in Care is a popular topic within the social care industry, and at Apex Health + Social care the utmost priority is given not only to a patient’s needs, but to their wishes too. If the best option for patients and their families is a tailored homecare package, our aim is to give direct access to support services that enable patients to continue with independent living.

Choice and control over care led by personal budgets and direct payments can mean that our flexible care services can range from a 15 minute “pop-in” visit any number of times per week, to a fully-inclusive domiciliary care package providing help and support around the clock.

Every step we take in delivering a ‘support and care package’ is governed by strict and tested quality controls. Our own Quality Assurance Policy and external governance by the Care Quality Commission ensures that a professional, courteous and quality service is provided at all times.

For more information on our personalised care packages from elderly and domiciliary to end of life care, or to find out more about becoming an Apex carer, find us on Facebook or Twitter or contact us.